Interested in Barry Zito?

Thanks to our friend Matt over at the overspending Metsblog.com we have a better idea of what it will take to land LHP Barry Zito:  a top-tier, young, starting pitcher and two young position players, including a bat for the outfield.  Well, let’s see, Gavin Floyd is a young starting pitcher… 

It seems the A’s could really use help anywhere in the lineup and with the recent addition of Estaban Loaiza, pitching may not be as much a priority.  So in comes Bobby Abreu – a bountiful addition to any offense.  Dany Perry of Fox Sports thinks, "Abreu would obviously be ideal, but it’s not certain the Phillies would part with him, even for Zito."  I agree completely.

Abreu’s owed $28 million over the next two years plus an option for another $16 mil or a $2 mil buyout in 2008.  Zito’s due to pull in $8.5 mil next season at which point his contract would expire.  I still don’t want to see Abreu go, but with this in mind I would demand the A’s would have to take Abreu’s full contract (not exactly the Moneyball way) and maybe throw in a prospect (not the Moneyball way either).  All these signs I’m afraid to say point to no deal with the A’s. 

Rumor has it, the Phils delegation in Dallas is frustrated with the trade prospects and may be turning their eyes to the free agent market – specifically Matt Morris.